Array vs Linked List: Implementation, Access Time, and Space Complexity

Implementation:

In terms of implementation, arrays are a collection of elements stored in contiguous memory locations, allowing for direct access to elements using their index. In contrast, linked lists consist of nodes where each node contains data and a reference to the next node in memory, making insertions and deletions more efficient but requiring additional memory for pointers.

Access Time:

Accessing elements in an array is done in constant time O(1) as the index provides direct access to the element. On the other hand, accessing elements in a linked list is done in linear time O(n) as traversal from the head or specific node is required to reach the desired element.

Space Complexity:

Arrays have a lower space complexity compared to linked lists as they only store the elements themselves without the overhead of additional pointers. Linked lists have a higher space complexity due to the extra memory required for storing node addresses or pointers.

Overall, arrays are better suited for scenarios where random access to elements is crucial and memory usage needs to be minimized, while linked lists are more efficient for frequent insertions and deletions in a dynamic data structure.